Appointments and promotions in the civil service of the Municipality shall be made solely on the basis of merit and fitness demonstrated, wherever practical, by open competitive examinations or other evidence of competence. Except as herein otherwise provided, the council shall enact ordinances to prescribe and enforce rules for appointment, promotion, transfer, layoff, reinstatement, suspension and removal of employees in the Civil Service of the Municipality. Such ordinances shall prevail over conflicting state law. The City Manager shall have the authority to determine if it is in the best interests of the City to leave a position vacant, or to combine the duties of two positions under a single employee. (Amendment adopted by the electorate, 11-4-80; Amendment adopted by the electorate, 11-7-95)